ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Progress
The San Francisco Women Artists Gallery will host Hope Lives: Art for ALS during ALS Awareness Month, from May 3 - 27, 2022. The focus of this month-long art exhibition is to inspire hope and action using the power of art to raise awareness in support of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter and people living with ALS.
Every 90 minutes a person in the US is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as “Lou Gehrig Disease), a fatal, neurodegenerative illness that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from diagnosis. As the disease progresses, people with ALS lose the ability to move, speak, swallow, and, eventually, to breathe – all while their minds and senses continue to function. There is currently no known cure for ALS.
“My sister was diagnosed with ALS in July 2020, and sadly, I live too far away to help her on a regular basis,” shared Melissa Stephens, local artist and event organizer. “I wanted to do something meaningful for her and for others who are facing the challenges of ALS.”
The exhibition will showcase 13 artists featuring clay sculpture, collage, mixed media, encaustic, acrylic and oil paintings. Three special events throughout the month will include an opening Gallery reception, artist presentations, wine tastings by Lloyd Davis’ Corner 103 of Sonoma, an opportunity drawing for an original encaustic painting ($650 value), and an ALS awareness and education event with collaborative mandala art projects. A portion of the proceeds from the art sales are being donated to the Golden West Chapter.
“This exhibition is an effort to raise awareness, which, in turn, will help fund research to more effectively diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent ALS,” adds Stephens. “Art is empowering, so as an artist, I am leaning into my craft, and collaborating with others to educate and build awareness about ALS.”
“The Golden West Chapter is grateful for support from community partners like Melissa and the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery who fuel our mission,” said Asher Garfinkel, Vice President of Community Outreach. “We are thrilled to have this opportunity, through art, to raise awareness and support for families facing ALS and to advance the search for effective treatments for cures.”
For more information, please visit hopelivesartforals.org. To make a donation, please click here.
Exhibition Event Dates:
Location: San Francisco Women Artists Gallery, 647 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
Gallery Hours: Tues. - Sat. from 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
Featured Artists: Julie Armstrong, Paula Boas, Pam Borrelli, Mort Cohn, Judith Feins, Kathleen Gadway, Barbara Jacobs, Lisa McElroy, Regina Quinn, Nancy Roberts, Janice Rumbaugh, Leslie Shafton, Melissa Stephens.
Gallery Reception, Saturday, May 7 from 2 - 4 pm
The reception welcomes artists and art lovers to gather at the Gallery for one-on-one conversation, education and networking opportunities.
Wine Tasting & Artist Talk, Thursday, May 12 from 2:30 - 4:30 pm
This event features two wines represented by Lloyd Davis from Sonoma’s Corner 103 wines, followed by 5-7 minute presentations by participating artists. Wines will be available for purchase, and 20% of all sales will be donated to The ALS Association Golden West Chapter.
ALS Awareness & Education Day, Thursday, May 19 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm
You can meet us IN PERSON at the SF Women Artists Gallery, starting at 1:30 pm. We will also lead a 30-minute ONLINE program, starting at 2:00 pm, which will include special guest speakers to educate the public about ALS and our mission. Attendees to the in person and virtual event can participate in a collaborative mandala art project! Whether you plan to attend in person or online, please RSVP here.
Featured Images of artists' work:
“China Camp” by Nancy Roberts |
“Boaters in Autumn” by Judith Feins |
“Rose Lily” by Pam Borrelli  |
“Edge of Day” by Regina B. Quinn  |
“Finding Patterns in Clouds” by Melissa Stephens
(to be entered into an opportunity drawing at the end of the exhibition, raising funds for Golden West Chapter & the SFWA Gallery)
The San Francisco Women Artists Gallery will host Hope Lives: Art for ALS during ALS Awareness Month, from May 3 - 27, 2022. The focus of this month-long art exhibition is to inspire hope and action using the power of art to raise awareness in support of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter and people living with ALS.
Every 90 minutes a person in the US is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as “Lou Gehrig Disease), a fatal, neurodegenerative illness that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from diagnosis. As the disease progresses, people with ALS lose the ability to move, speak, swallow, and, eventually, to breathe – all while their minds and senses continue to function. There is currently no known cure for ALS.
“My sister was diagnosed with ALS in July 2020, and sadly, I live too far away to help her on a regular basis,” shared Melissa Stephens, local artist and event organizer. “I wanted to do something meaningful for her and for others who are facing the challenges of ALS.”
The exhibition will showcase 13 artists featuring clay sculpture, collage, mixed media, encaustic, acrylic and oil paintings. Three special events throughout the month will include an opening Gallery reception, artist presentations, wine tastings by Lloyd Davis’ Corner 103 of Sonoma, an opportunity drawing for an original encaustic painting ($650 value), and an ALS awareness and education event with collaborative mandala art projects. A portion of the proceeds from the art sales are being donated to the Golden West Chapter.
“This exhibition is an effort to raise awareness, which, in turn, will help fund research to more effectively diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent ALS,” adds Stephens. “Art is empowering, so as an artist, I am leaning into my craft, and collaborating with others to educate and build awareness about ALS.”
“The Golden West Chapter is grateful for support from community partners like Melissa and the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery who fuel our mission,” said Asher Garfinkel, Vice President of Community Outreach. “We are thrilled to have this opportunity, through art, to raise awareness and support for families facing ALS and to advance the search for effective treatments for cures.”
For more information, please visit hopelivesartforals.org. To make a donation, please click here.
Exhibition Event Dates:
Location: San Francisco Women Artists Gallery, 647 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
Gallery Hours: Tues. - Sat. from 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
Featured Artists: Julie Armstrong, Paula Boas, Pam Borrelli, Mort Cohn, Judith Feins, Kathleen Gadway, Barbara Jacobs, Lisa McElroy, Regina Quinn, Nancy Roberts, Janice Rumbaugh, Leslie Shafton, Melissa Stephens.
Gallery Reception, Saturday, May 7 from 2 - 4 pm
The reception welcomes artists and art lovers to gather at the Gallery for one-on-one conversation, education and networking opportunities.
Wine Tasting & Artist Talk, Thursday, May 12 from 2:30 - 4:30 pm
This event features two wines represented by Lloyd Davis from Sonoma’s Corner 103 wines, followed by 5-7 minute presentations by participating artists. Wines will be available for purchase, and 20% of all sales will be donated to The ALS Association Golden West Chapter.
ALS Awareness & Education Day, Thursday, May 19 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm
You can meet us IN PERSON at the SF Women Artists Gallery, starting at 1:30 pm. We will also lead a 30-minute ONLINE program, starting at 2:00 pm, which will include special guest speakers to educate the public about ALS and our mission. Attendees to the in person and virtual event can participate in a collaborative mandala art project! Whether you plan to attend in person or online, please RSVP here.
Featured Images of artists' work:
| “China Camp” by Nancy Roberts |
“Boaters in Autumn” by Judith Feins |
“Rose Lily” by Pam Borrelli |
“Edge of Day” by Regina B. Quinn |
“Finding Patterns in Clouds” by Melissa Stephens
(to be entered into an opportunity drawing at the end of the exhibition, raising funds for Golden West Chapter & the SFWA Gallery)
